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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






2. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






3. The principal note of a triad.






4. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






5. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






6. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






7. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






8. A direction to play lively and fast.






9. Closing section of a movement.






10. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






11. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






12. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.






13. A reprise.






14. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






15. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






16. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






17. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






18. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






19. Indicating speed.






20. To shift to another key.






21. A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition.






22. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






23. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






24. A combination of two or more staves on which all the notes are vertically aligned and performed simultaneously in differing registers and instruments.






25. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






26. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






27. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






28. To shift to another key.






29. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






30. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






31. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






32. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






33. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






34. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






35. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






36. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






37. Lowest female singing voice.






38. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






39. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






40. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






41. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






42. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






43. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






44. A composition written for nine instruments.






45. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






46. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






47. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






48. Pertains to tone or tones.






49. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






50. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.